Current Affair MCQ for 2025-08-20

Notes: Udyam Sakhi Portal was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with an expenditure of ₹43.52 lakh. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje informed Rajya Sabha that it is helping women entrepreneurs start, build, and expand businesses, fostering self-reliance. It provides women entrepreneurs information on financial schemes, policies, and programmes of the MSME sector. The portal nurtures entrepreneurship and creates business models for low-cost products and services. It empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Notes: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem. Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection known for its red rash. It is caused by the Rubella virus, a single-stranded RNA virus, different from the measles virus. Rubella spreads through coughing, sneezing, contaminated surfaces, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. This can lead to fetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing hearing loss, eye and heart defects, autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid problems.

Notes: A recent genetic study found a possible genetic link to the high rate of Tuberculosis (TB) in the Sahariya tribe of central India. The Sahariya are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are among the most disadvantaged communities. Their population is around six lakh (Census 2011) spread across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and a few other states. They are also called Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, and Sahra. They live in clusters called Seharana with stone or mud houses, following joint family systems.

Notes: Scientists have recorded the sliteye shark for the first time in the Great Chagos Bank, the world’s largest coral atoll. The shark is named for its narrow slit-like eyes and was filmed in deep seagrass habitats on the southern rim of the Bank. Two sharks were recorded 11 km apart at depths of 23–29 metres using Baited Remote Underwater Video systems. The species usually lives in deep waters but also adapts to shallow clear seas. The study shows that sliteye sharks also depend on these meadows, highlighting their biodiversity value. Sliteye sharks are listed as near-threatened and may decline by 30% in 15 years due to fishing pressure.

Notes: Recently, Palmyra palm trees in Odisha were found to reduce lightning-related deaths and provide food for elephants during lean seasons. The tree is commonly known as sugar palm, toddy palm, or fan palm. It is native to tropical Africa but widely cultivated and naturalized in India, often planted as a windbreak on plains. Palmyra trees act as natural shelters for birds, bats, and wild animals. The main product is sweet sap (toddy), which ferments quickly and is used as a beverage.